I’ve heard many humans say that there is a strong connection between animal and human abuse. While that makes sense, I am not the kind of cat who just spouts off anything I read in a Facebook comment or forum post as if it’s the complete truth. A quick Google search led me to the Pet-Abuse.com site, which quotes a 1997 study done by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Northeastern University. It found that “animal abusers are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against people.” I found additional information at the Clinton County SPCA that tied animal cruelty and cruelty to women and children over and over again. So you can rest assured that none of us are making this up: animal and human violence are closely related.
One human who knows more about this than you might expect is BZTAT, the Canton, OH-based artist who is known for her colorful animal paintings and murals, and whose work is familiar to those in the pet-blogging community. She is also a mental health counselor who has been an advocate for children for over 19 years. So when she decided to use her artistic talents as a way to bring awareness to the issue of animal and child abuse, it was really no surprise. She has seen firsthand how art can bring discussion, healing and awareness to important social concerns. That is why she has begun the project called Okey’s Promise.
Okey is a sweet little cat that BZTAT rescued from the streets, whose behavior led BZTAT to believe that she came from a situation where she may have been abused. This is something I understand myself, since my human believes the same thing may have happened to my roommate Boodie. It took a long time to socialize this shy, fearful cat. Even though Boodie has never been treated with anything but kindness since my human brought her home in 2002, she still cringes when someone reaches over to pet her. To honor Okey, and those like her, BZTAT named this new project after her.
Currently, BZTAT is funding her first Okey’s Promise project — a large mural to be put up in the Canton Arts District — through Kickstarter.com, a funding platform for creative projects (a little aside: one of my human’s boyfriend’s bands raised money for their latest album through Kickstarter last year). But right now, she is falling short of her $5,000 goal. Kickstarter will only release the funds for projects if the goal is met. If it is not, then the money is returned. BZTAT only has 6 more days to raise nearly $1000, and I am hoping you will help her! In fact, I have a proposal for you: the first person to give $50 or more to Okey’s Promise Kickstarter page after my blog post goes live will also get a copy of my latest book,
personally pawtographed by me! BZTAT does not even know I am offering this yet… because I thought of doing it just now!
I really believe in this project! Canton is only the start — BZTAT wants to put up murals and raise awareness about animal and child cruelty in 6 different cities this year! Let’s help her get Okey’s Promise off to a great start!
Find out more about Okey’s Promise and Kickstarter here.
See all of Summer’s merch at her Designercat Shop, available on Zazzle.
Sparkle, thanks for posting about BZTAT and her Okey’s Promise project. What a great cause and we hope they will reach their goal.
This is a wonderful project and the Human wishes she had more green papers right now. She hopes that it all works out!
The Human wants to believe that people who abuse animals will get what’s coming to them one day. They are the lowest of the low.
The Big Thing here – I’ve read enough serious studies about animal/human abuse to not have had any doubts. I wish the best to this project.
How wonderful of you Sparkle.
Stinky the Farm cat was abused too. It is very sad
This is just wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing BZTAT’s beautiful and thoughtful work.
Sparkle
We thank you for this posting.
Excellent work by BZTAT.
purrin
xoxox
♥♥♥
She does do beautiful artwork and I hope she gets to her goal so she will be able to help other less fortunate kitties, puppies and other animals. Great post Sparkle.
fank u for sharing Sparkle. mai hooman is also supporting Okey’s Promise! xoxo
Excellent post. I, too, believe there is a connection between animal and human abuse. Okey’s Promise sounds awesome.
Wow, Sparkle! Thanks so much for the fabulous blogpost and the offer of giving away one of your books! Let me know the exact time that you went live and I will be happy to give you the name of the first $50 or more pledge after that time. Thanks to all your readers and friends for being the passion behind Okey’s Promise!
BZTAT
Excellent post for a very worthy cause.
Yes, there definitely is a connection with animal and human abuse fur sure. This sounds like a great project, and we think Okey is gorgeous!
–JB
This is a very important subject Sparkle and it’s wonderful awareness is being raised. We have heard of the link between animal and child cruelty before and know that many shelters offer to take in the pets of women and kids who leave abusive homes because otherwise many stay to avoid their animals being abused if they leave them behind. It’s just a horrible cycle of abuse and we’ll check out your link to see what we can do to help!
PeeS: Our mommy is very impressed with your human getting her tax stuff in to her accountant already! She wishes more people were like your human (in more ways than one)!
Such a Good topic Sparkle! Me came from an abusive home before my Mommy and Daddy gots me. Me has some behavior issues – which is why me is the Cat From Hell.
Thank yous for writing about this and the people who is working for it!
Nellie
Okay, we are writing this down on our list to help out-
Miss Sparkle, if this is a cause and person you support, then we trust it’s a good one. We stole our mom’s credit card and pledged!
BZTAT is an inspiration fur sure, we met her at Bark World Expo in Atlanta last year. Okey’s Promise is such a wonderful mission.
We are convinced you are right when it comes to abuse. When I was a child, there used to be a saying that you could tell what kind of a person someone was by looking at how they treated their animals and/or their servants. Someone who hits an animal will also hit a person, and vice versa.
That is a very interesting subject. When you hear about someone killing people, usually there is a blip about how that person used to kill cats or dogs. So I believe they are related. I hope she gets her money raised. Take care and have a super week end.
Great post today. Yes, I’ve never trusted anyone who is cruel to animals. It’s a great thing that BZTAT is collaborating to help this project.
Have a great weekend.
pawhugs, Max
Art and cats – a wonderful combination for the success of Okey’s Promise.
So important subject today!
All good luck for this interesting project!
purrs and happy weekend
Luna